ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Protesters demanding the University of Michigan divest from Israel staged a demonstration outside the home of Sarah Hubbard, chair of the Board of Regents, early Wednesday morning. They placed body bags and “bloodied” stuffed animals on her porch and lawn, which a university spokesperson called a “significant and dangerous escalation.”

U-M anti-Israel protesters increase bullying tactics.

University Public Affairs said about what happened in a statement, “The tactics used today represent a significant and dangerous escalation in the protests that have been occurring on campus. Going to an individual’s private residence is intimidating behavior and, in this instance, illegal trespassing. This kind of conduct is not protected speech; it’s dangerous and unacceptable.”

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The demonstration occurred around 6 a.m. in Meridian Township at Hubbard’s residence. Protesters were marking the 76th anniversary of the Nakba – the Palestinian term for the 1948 expulsion following the founding of Israel.

Protesters cause disruption in neighborhood of regent.

The protesters drummed and chanted loudly through a bullhorn, “Regent Hubbard, you can’t hide, you are funding genocide,” as shown in a video posted by the TAHRIR Coalition on their social media. Most of the protesters were masked, hiding their identities.

Who is responsible?

Claiming responsibility for the protests are: Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) at the University of Michigan, Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE), and Transparency, Accountability, Humanity, Reparations, Investment, Resistance (TAHRIR) Coalition.

Alex Sepulveda, a University of Michigan junior and media contact for the Diag encampment, confirmed the group’s involvement in the protests at the regents’ homes. Sepulveda claimed Hubbard was dismissive of their demands and unresponsive to their protests. The group has threatened to continue the encampment until the University agrees to divest. The protesters also want an audit of U-M finances and the abolishment of campus police.

Trespassing on property, protesters set up tents, “body bags” and “bloodied” stuffed animals.

According to Hubbard, about 30 protesters set up three tents on her lawn, left various debris, taped a letter to her door, and chanted and marched until the Meridian Township police arrived, prompting them to run away.

She noted that several body bags with red paint, symbolizing those killed in Gaza in recent Israeli military actions, were placed on her porch and lawn. The protesters were masked and hooded she said. She posted on X about the incident: “Protesting at a public official’s private residence is unacceptable and will not move their cause forward in a satisfactory manner.”

Second regent also targeted.

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Another regent experienced a similar incident. Regent Jordan Acker reported on social media that a masked individual came to his door early in the morning while his family was in the house. He posted on X: “Around 4:40 A.M., a masked intruder came to the door of my family’s home with a list of demands, including defunding the police. My three daughters were asleep in their beds, and thankfully unaware of what transpired.”

Regent Acker calls out un-peaceful protesters.

Acker went on to say, “This form of protest is not peaceful. Public officials should not be subject to this sort of intimidating conduct, and this behavior is unacceptable from any Michigan community member, especially one led by someone who called for the death of people they disagree with. In the wake of the 2020 election, public officials here in Michigan were subjected to threats from mobs of election deniers who engaged in similar conduct. No group, on the right or left, should engage in this behavior, and it cannot be tolerated in any free society.”

Student protesters set up tents at the Diag on April 22, similar to a previous encampment at Columbia University, which was dismantled by police. Ann Arbor police and U-M officials have not interfered with the Diag encampment – which is perhaps what has emboldened the protesters to escalate their activities.

University won’t back down and cave to protesters’ demands.

Hubbard reiterated that the regents have no plans to divest from Israel and urged protesters to engage through public meetings, such as the upcoming one at the university’s Dearborn campus. She emphasized that protesting at private residences is inappropriate and counterproductive.

Commemorations of the Nakba have occurred Michigan and around the globe. Michigan U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, posted on X recently: “The Nakba never ended,” drawing parallels between past and recent Palestinian experiences. Concurrently, Jewish groups in metro Detroit were celebrating Israel’s Independence Day.

Frustrated with the university’s tolerance of activities on the Diag and the protesters’ recent escalation in tactics, an individual using the handle @Isoclarity on the social media platform X expressed his ability to rhyme just like the protesters, posting, “Don’t divest, just arrest.”